KPCT Advanced Chemicals revealed plans to build an electronic-grade sulfuric acid manufacturing facility in Casa Grande.
The 10-acre facility will generate approximately 65 jobs by 2025, according to a news release from the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA). It will serve the North American semiconductor market.
"We're excited to welcome another globally-recognized manufacturing operation to Arizona's robust semiconductor supply chain," Sandra Watson, president and CEO of the ACA, said in the news release. "Arizona continues to attract the world's leading semiconductor companies. We thank CEO Lu and the entire team at Kanto and look forward to supporting their success in Arizona for many years to come."
KPCT's manufacturing facility is expected to feature a yearly capacity of 100,000 metric tons of electronic-grade sulfuric acid, the news release noted. KPCT Advanced Chemicals is a partnership between Kanto Group and Chemtrade Logistics Inc.
"Kanto Group is pleased to partner with Chemtrade and to leverage both parties' strengths to bring new, high-quality sulfuric acid capacity to serve the growing North American electronic chemicals market," Jerry Lu, CEO of KPPC Advanced Chemicals Inc., said in the news release.
The facility will be the first "greenfield construction of an electronic-grade sulfuric acid plant in North America," according to the news release. It is "expected to provide superior reliability and consistent quality" while also minimizing emissions.
"This joint venture bringing KPCT Advanced Chemicals to greater Phoenix is critical to the market and will strengthen our semiconductor ecosystem by bolstering the local supply chain while allowing uninterrupted service to a burgeoning hub of semiconductor suppliers and fabs in the region," Chris Camacho, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, said in the news release. "We're excited to see another semiconductor supplier investing in Casa Grande and look forward to partnering in their continued growth and success."
The site in Casa Grande was chosen because it is part of the "existing and growing semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem," the news release noted. KPCT officials believe that placing the plant in Casa Grande will lead to better customer service and "reduce the environmental burden of shipping the product long distances."
"Casa Grande looks forward to KPCT Advanced Chemicals making the heart of Arizona's innovation and technology corridor its home," Craig McFarland, mayor of Casa Grande, said in the news release. "Our local economy welcomes the potential increase in job and revenue growth."
Stephen Miller, supervisor for Pinal County, District 3, said the location and the investment were ideal for the community.
"On behalf of the entire Board of Supervisors, I want to express our appreciation for KPCT's significant capital investment in the county," Miller said in the news release. "The county's strategic location in the state makes it an outstanding area to serve the nearby semiconductor industry. We look forward to working with the partnership to help ensure their long-term success."